Salary Range: $52,967 - $66,209 annually, commensurate with experience Department: Health, Fitness & Aquatics

Position Grade: Grade 4 Work Hours: Up to 40 hours per week

Location: Laurier Brantford Family YMCA, 100 Water St., Brantford, Ontario

Employment Type: Full time with benefits and a complimentary YMCA membership

Anticipated Start Date: October 2026

Deadline to Apply: October 16, 2026

No. of Vacancies: 1

Why You’ll Love Working With Us In addition to working with an amazing team in an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages creativity, curiosity, and celebrates success, we offer:

- Free YMCA HBB Health & Fitness Memberships
- Professional development opportunities including paid training
- Reduced rates for YMCA HBB Child Care, Camp, and Child & Youth programs (subject to eligibility)
- Mental Health on Demand (MHOD) Program
- Opportunities for career advancement

Position Overview We believe that it is through the power of our amazing people that the #YSavesLives. By joining the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford, you will contribute to creating safe, welcoming, and well-maintained spaces where members, participants, staff, volunteers, and the community can thrive.

The Child & Youth Program Development Lead is responsible for the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of Child and Youth programming across YMCA Health, Fitness, Aquatics & Recreation branches. Reporting to the General Manager, Laurier Brantford Family YMCA, this position develops curriculum, program frameworks, quality standards, training resources, and evaluation tools that support consistent, high-quality experiences for children, youth, and families across the Association.

Working collaboratively with branch leadership teams, Child & Youth Supervisors, and frontline staff, this role provides consultation, coaching, and program support to ensure programs are delivered consistently and effectively. Guided by Healthy Child Development, Developmental Assets, Physical Literacy principles, and the YMCA's Y Way philosophy, the Child & Youth Program Development Lead plays a key role in driving innovation, enhancing program quality, supporting staff development, and creating impactful experiences that strengthen our communities.

This is an exciting opportunity for a creative, collaborative, and solutions-focused professional who is passionate about youth development, program excellence, and community impact.

What You'll Do

- Program Development & Innovation: Lead the design, development, evaluation, and continuous improvement of Child & Youth programs across multiple YMCA branches. Develop curriculum, program guides, resources, and implementation tools that ensure high-quality, engaging, and developmentally appropriate experiences for participants.




- Training & Capacity Building: Develop and support annual training plans, resources, and learning opportunities for Child & Youth staff. Provide coaching, consultation, and program support that strengthens staff confidence, program consistency, and service excellence across the Association.
- Quality Assurance & Program Evaluation: Monitor program effectiveness through assessments, participant feedback, data analysis, and quality assurance processes. Identify opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement, and support the implementation of new programs and initiatives.
- Operational & Financial Support: Contribute to program budgeting, financial analysis, pricing strategies, and revenue-generating opportunities. Support operational planning and act as a resource to branch leadership teams as needed.
- Community & Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with branch leaders, staff, families, community partners, and vendors to enhance program delivery, coordinate special events, and ensure programs remain responsive to the evolving needs of children, youth, and families.

What You'll Bring:

- Post-secondary diploma or degree in Recreation, Child & Youth Studies, Education, Community Development, or a related field.
- Minimum three (3) years of experience in child and youth programming, recreation, education, or a related field, including experience supporting and mentoring staff teams.
- Demonstrated experience developing curriculum, training resources, program standards, or learning materials that support high-quality program delivery.
- Strong knowledge of Healthy Child Development, Developmental Assets, Physical Literacy, inclusion, and age-appropriate program design.
- Exceptional organizational, project management, and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities, evaluate program outcomes, and drive continuous improvement
- Excellent relationship-building, communication, coaching, and facilitation skills, with the ability to influence and support teams in a collaborative environment.
- Experience gathering and interpreting data, participant feedback, and market information to inform program planning, innovation, and growth opportunities.
- Robust proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, and the ability to create professional reports, resources, and presentations.




- A current and satisfactory Vulnerable Sector Check.

This position requires a commitment to the YMCA mission and core values of: Inclusion, Caring, Honesty, Respect and Responsibility, as well as a commitment to building developmental assets in children and adults. All offers of employment will be subject to the provision that the successful incumbent provides the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford with a current and satisfactory Police Records Check. Positions responsible for the direct supervision of children and/or vulnerable people will be required, in addition to a Police Records Check, to provide a Vulnerable Sector Screening Report at the time of hire.

Police Records

Checks are reviewed on an individual basis, and the offence(s), if any, is considered in the decision-making process in relation to the requirement of working with children; therefore, not eliminating all candidates with a record from being offered a position.

Organizational Overview

As one of the largest charitable community service organizations in Canada, the YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford responds to critical social needs in the community and works to provide solutions. By nurturing the potential of children, youth and adults, the YMCA connects people to life-building opportunities, to each other and enhances their quality of life. We foster social responsibility and healthy living.

The YMCA works collectively with community partners that share the YMCA’s determination in strengthening the foundations of community for all people.

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility The YMCA of Hamilton|Burlington|Brantford is committed to creating an inclusive, diverse, equitable and accessible environment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or neurodiversity.

We understand the social barriers preventing individuals from applying for open roles. We encourage those from the Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIA+, BIPOC, and Disabled communities to apply.

If you need any accommodation throughout the recruitment process, please do not hesitate to contact our People, Leadership and Culture Department at [email protected]

Ready to Make a Difference?

YMCA HBB is a charity that ignites the potential in people. #YSavesLives starts with building a strong community. If you’re passionate about creating a vibrant and healthy community where everyone thrives, we want to hear from you!

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Disclosure

Artificial intelligence ("AI") may be used to support the screening, assessment, or selection of applicants for this position. All hiring decisions involve human review.

📌 Child & Youth Program Development Lead - Laurier Brantford YMCA, ON
🏢 YMCA Of Hamilton/Burlington/Brantford
📍 Brantford